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Springtime at Deep Creek Lake

Spring is a great time to visit Deep Creek Lake. The days are longer, and the weather is warmer. In early spring, there is still the need for a glowing fire to ward off the chill of the evening air. The visiting population has lessened but the restaurants and shops are open for business and welcome you.

Exploring the countryside is a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

The Cranesville Sub-Arctic Swamp is a wonder of Mother Nature. These 500 acres of boreal forests were formed during the Ice Age and offer rare species of plant and animal life normally indigenous only to the arctic regions. The swamp is a bog. Please use the boardwalk to protect the ground cover.

Early spring is also the time for sugaring or the making of maple syrup. Many groves of maple trees can still be found in Garrett County. Brenneman's Grove which is just outside of Bittinger is one of the most beautiful. Maple syrup products are available for sale at local stores.

The Casselman River Bridge is a beautiful site for a picnic lunch as well as a credit to early engineering design. It was built in 1813 and was the largest single-span stone arch bridge in the United States at the time. The bridge was part of the National Pike and provided a link between Cumberland, MD and Wheeling, WV. It was used for travel until 1953 when it was closed to traffic.

Friendsville was founded by John Friend Sr. in 1765 when he purchased the land from the Indians. This was the first settlement in Garrett County.

The historic town of Oakland is only a short distance from Deep Creek Lake and is the site of many interesting buildings and noteworthy events. The Garrett County Historical Museum features artifacts significant to the area. Included in the collections is a wonderful Indian artifact display dating back to the Archaic Period of Indian Culture. The Mountain Fresh Tailgate Market located at the town parking lot is open on Wednesday and Saturday during the summer. Take in one of the fine plays at Our Town Theater featuring local talent.

These are but a few of the interesting places to visit around the Deep Creek area.

The various state parks host an Easter Egg Hunt and spring wild flower/bird walks in April and May. As the weather warms, the forests begin to come alive again and these guided tours feature the awakening beauty of Lostland Run in Potomac-Garrett State Forest.

Mid May finds everyone flocking to Grantsville for the National Pike Festival that includes music, a wagon train, story telling, demonstrations and displays of the wares of local artisans and craftsmen.

The annual McHenry Highland Festival brings the Scotch out in everyone. Traditional Scottish dancers and bagpipe bands are featured. Scottish food and shops as well a sheepdog demonstrations and bagpipe contests will entertain you. The Festival is held in early June at the McHenry Fairgrounds.

The docks are back in the water and the lake becomes active again with fishermen and boaters. Horseback riding and mountain biking are again popular past times. Spring is a perfect time to explore the 80,000 acres of public lands or to seek out those enticing sites in Garrett County. To find out more about specific parks and to view maps visit: www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands.